The Alabama Democratic Party may see a backlash against county Democrats in November's election after picking Elisabeth French over Judge Nikki Still to replace disqualified Kenya Lavender Marshall as the party's nominee for Jefferson County Circuit Court.

Marshall won the Democratic primary, but has since been suspended from practicing law for misappropriating a client's funds. No law license, no judgeship. Still, who was appointed to the bench by Gov. Bob Riley last year, finished second to Marshall, so it goes to reason that the party might pick her as its nominee. Didn't happen.

Let's cut to it: Still, who is white, was skipped over for French, who is black. Disqualified Marshall also is black.

Hard for this not to be seen by many as a race issue, and it's already divisive. Check out News columnist John Archibald's Sunday column (here) and read the comments.

I've heard from some white, longtime Democratic friends who say they won't vote for judicial candidates in November's election. Without white Democrats going to the polls, African-American candidates may have a difficult time winning countywide races. One Democratic friend said that in a few election cycles, there may not be many (or any) African-Americans elected countywide. (I've also heard from black Democratic friends who say the Democratic Party made a mistake, and from others who see nothing wrong with the party choosing French).

Let's hope these hurt feelings heal. French is qualified, and the Democratic Party has a right to choose the candidate it wants. Still did stand for election, but she lost; while it may have been more appropriate for Democrats to at least pick a nominee who campaigned for the position, the Democrats were within their rights to choose somebody else after the elected nominee was disqualified.

This week's Views poll wants to know what you think. Did the state Democratic Party Executive Committee make a mistake? Vote below. And let us know if you think there will be a backlash. The poll results and a selection of comments will be published in Sunday's Viewpoints section.